Thornton M. Niven

Thornton MacNess Niven (1806—1895) was a Scottish American architect and master stonecutter who worked primarily in Newburgh, New York, but also in several locations along the Hudson River and Southern United States. Although Niven considered himself more of a stonecutter than an architect, he acquainted himself with several men working to establish Gothic Revival and Italianate styles within American architectural practice—Andrew Jackson Downing, Alexander Jackson Davis, James H. Dakin, Russell Warren, and Calvin Pollard.[1] In his early career as a granite stonecutter, Niven gained national acclaim.

Hon.

Thornton Niven
Niven in 1872
Born
Thornton MacNess Niven

February 3, 1806
DiedJanuary 17, 1895
Resting placeBloomingburg, New York
Occupation(s)Architect, stonecutter, politician
Years active1825—1860
Known forGoshen Courthouse
Newburgh Courthouse
Brooklyn Navy Yard Dry Dock 1
StyleGreek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate
SpouseLetita Mills (m. 1826)
RelativesThornton Wilder

Works

Known

Speculated

  • James River Dam (Bosher's Dam), near Richmond, Virginia (Supplied granite, 1830, demolished)
  • Monticello Presbyterian Church, Monticello, New York (1844, burned 1943)
  • Monticello Academy, Monticello, New York, (1850-1852, demolished)
  • Orange County Clerk's Office (1851, demolished)
  • Mobile Customs House, Mobile, Alabama (Supplied granite, 1852-1854, demolished)

References

  1. Downs, 3.
  2. Krattinger, William (2003). "The Dutch Reformed Church: Newburgh, New York" (PDF).
  3. Niven, T. M. "Cottage Residence." The Cultivator (1834-1865) 1, no. 1 (01, 1844): 24.

Sources

  • Downs, Arthur Channing. The Architecture and Life of the Hon. Thornton MacNess Niven (1806-1895), 2nd ed. (Goshen, NY: Orange County Arts Community of Museums & Galleries, 1972).
  • Ruttenber, Edward Manning. History of the Town of Newburgh. Newburgh, New York: E. M. Ruttenber & Co. Printers, 1859.
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